A 17-year-old has become the first minor to die by euthanasia in Belgium.<br /><br /> It is the first application of rules adopted by the country in 2014.<br /><br /> They allow for the doctor-assisted death of minors of all ages if their condition is incurable.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Wim Distelmans: “17 of niet, op lijden staat geen leeftijd.” https://t.co/09YAZKq9xz pic.twitter.com/4EAZ5TYnrL— VTM NIEUWS (@VTMNIEUWS) September 17, 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Wim Distelmans, the head of Belgium’s Federal Control and Evaluation Committee on Euthanasia, said in an emailed statement that this first case was reported to his committee by a local doctor last week.<br /><br /> The minor is reported as having been critically ill, but no other information has been given.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> How long has euthanasia been legal in Belgium?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Belgium legalised euthanasia in 2002. <br /><br /> Two years ago it amended the rules to permit doctor-assisted death for minors.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> How unusual is this?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Very.<br /><br /> Belgium is the only country in the world allowing euthanasia for minors of all ages. <br /><br /> In the neighbouring Netherlands, the practice is possible for children aged at least 12.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> How many people take advantage of Belgium’s law?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Records from the national euthanasia control committee show that, between 2003 and 2013, the number of patients being euthanased in Belgium rose nearly eightfold.<br /><br /> The total number is 8,752 cases.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Paralympian focus<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Belgium’s euthanasia legislation has received international attention recently as a result of the paralympian athlete Marieke Vervoort.<br /><br /> The Belgian national says she is still considering euthanasia but, contrary to media reports, will not be ending her life immediately after the Games in Rio.<br /><br /> The 37-year-old has an incurable and degenerative spinal condition. She signed euthanasia papers in 2008 in Belgium.<br /><br /> Vervoort, who won a silver medal in the 400m wheelchair race, rejected reports that she might take her life after Rio.<br /><br /> “I have my euthanasia papers in my hand but I am still enjoying every little moment,” she told reporters.<br /><br /> “When the moment comes, when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers. But the time is not here yet.”<br /><br /> Vervoort was diagnosed with the condition as a teenager. <br /><br /> She went on to win Paralympic gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m in the London Games in 2012.<br /><br /> At the time, she confirmed that Rio would be her last competitive appearance.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Paralympian Marieke Vervoort plans to end her life when the pain from her debilitating illness becomes too much. pic.twitter.com/ekqj4wPXnC— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) September 12, 2016<br />
